Editor’s Picks January 2026 and CES - Adorama Narrated

Summary4 min read

Adorama Narrated: Editor’s Picks January 2026 and CES – Episode Summary

Main Theme:
This episode, “Editor’s Picks January 2026 and CES,” presents a curated roundup of standout photography gear and creative tech highlights from both the start of the new year and the CES 2026 show. Written by Daniel Norton and read by Nikki Haller, the episode blends personal reflections on upgrading equipment, hands-on impressions, and dreams for future gear, with a playful nod to the excitement (and occasional regrets) of trying new tools.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

The Annual Gear Refresh

New Year, New Gear Ethos:
Daniel opens with a relatable confession about waiting until after the holidays to revamp his camera kit, citing slow post-holiday months as the ideal time for pros to evaluate needs and make purchases.
- “New Year, New Me, or maybe New Year, New Gear...I can't be the only one who dreams of camera gear, can I?” [00:17]

Editor’s Gear Picks

OWC Thunder Bay 44 Bay 96TB Thunderbolt 3 RAID
- Norton emphasizes the critical importance of fast, reliable local backup for professionals:
  - “A RAID is certainly not as flashy and maybe not as exciting as a new mirrorless body, but...it takes a huge weight off our chest to know we have a fast local backup.” [01:09]
Leica Q3 Monochrome
- As a self-proclaimed “die-hard rangefinder guy,” Daniel shares his fascination with Leica’s Q3 Monochrome:
  - “I must confess that the Leica Q3 Monochrome has really captured my imagination...the all-in-one simplicity and the files. Wow.” [01:44]
OM Systems OM5 Mark II
- Highlights the utility of Micro Four Thirds for birding and travel, especially when paired with a long zoom lens.
  - “Micro Four Thirds is an interesting tool in today’s full frame world…this combo might just be the answer.” [02:16]
Panasonic Lumix S9
- The S9, initially borrowed from the content team, becomes an unexpected favorite for its hybrid stills and video capabilities:
  - “Of course, after using it for a bit, I never returned the S9 to them.” [02:54]
  - “Lumix has positioned itself firmly as hybrid cameras and the S9 is definitely that.”
Westcott 45-inch Round Halo Mono Softbox
- Daniel nostalgically recalls this classic modifier from his early career, describing its impact on his beauty and fashion work on South Beach.
  - “The round shape, the diffusion, all made for a clean portrait and beauty light...those images I made with it moved me to the next level back in the day.” [03:38]
LG Touchscreen IPS LCD HDR Monitor with Rolling Stand
- An impulse purchase leads to an amusing story about sharing new gear with friends and losing it to content creation duties.
  - “You want me to make some content with it? How am I going to say no to AB? So you guys will get some cool content to watch and I have to stick with watching shows on a regular TV. Boring.” [04:11]

CES 2026 Highlights

Shure MV88 USB-C Microphone
- Daniel discusses the evolution of portable microphones, praising this USB-C update for its versatility across brands.
  - “I envy those who just grab their phone and start talking. However, the pro in me wants just a bit more.” [05:01]
  - “The previous version was great for iPhone users, but I like how USB C is making more and more products versatile for many brands and devices.”

Memorable Quotes & Moments

Dreaming of Gear:
“I can't be the only one who dreams of camera gear, can I?” – Daniel Norton [00:17]
On Micro Four Thirds Birding:
“I've been having a hard time trying to capture the birds at my feeders with my phone. This combo might just be the answer.” [02:25]
Losing gear to content creation:
“I had this beauty all set up when my friend AB came by and said, that’s cool. You want me to make some content with it? How am I going to say no to AB?” [04:11]

Timestamps for Important Segments

00:17 – Daniel introduces his annual gear refresh tradition
01:09 – Why pro-level local backup (OWC Thunder Bay RAID) matters
01:44 – Leica Q3 Monochrome impressions
02:16 – OM System OM5 Mark II and bird photography challenges
02:54 – Discovering and adopting the Panasonic Lumix S9
03:38 – Nostalgia and the Westcott 45” Round Halo Mono Softbox
04:11 – The LG Touchscreen monitor and sharing with team
05:01 – CES 2026 pick: Shure MV88 USB-C microphone for creators

Tone & Style

The episode maintains a conversational and enthusiastic tone, mixing technical insights with personal anecdotes and playful humor. Daniel’s reflections offer guidance for both hobbyists and pros, while Nikki Haller’s narration keeps the pace lively and accessible.

For Further Reading

To dive deeper into the discussed products or related articles, listeners are encouraged to check out the original posts on Adorama’s 42 West blog. Links to specific items and further resources are included in the show’s notes.

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A
You are listening to Adorama Narrated a collection of our favorite blog posts presented in audio format. Editor's Picks January 2026 and CES Written by Daniel Norton Published on January 15, 2026 New Year New Me or maybe New Year New Gear it's true, I'm one of these odd people who wait until after the holidays to clean up, add to and replace my kit. This is because as a fashion shooter, I was typically slow at the beginning of the year, shooting wise. Anyway. In this month's Editor's Picks, I want to cover some of my recent purchases, plans and, let's face it, dreams. I can't be the only one who dreams of camera gear, can I? Also, I'll touch on some stuff that caught my eye recently and a cool release from CES 2026 OWC Thunder Bay Raid it was time for an update for my ancient Drobo RAID system. Enter the OWC Thunder Bay 44 Bay 96 TB Thunderbolt 3 Raid A raid is certainly not as flashy and maybe not as exciting as a new mirrorless body, but for those who do this professionally, it takes a huge weight off our chest to know we have a fast local backup. Leica Q3 monochrome as some of you might have guessed, I am a die hard rangefinder guy, but I must confess that the Leica Q3 monochrome has really captured my imagination. I didn't get to shoot with this little beauty for very long, but I loved the all in one simplicity and the files. Wow. OM Systems OM5 Mark II ever since I sent our sample out with Austin for an article and video this summer, I've had this little gem of a camera on my mind. Micro 4 thirds is an interesting tool in today's full frame world. When paired with a 100-400mm lens, you get the reach of a full frame 800mm for a fraction of the size and weight. Having one of these OM System bodies and a long zoom lens for travel and birding is probably worth the price of admission. I've been having a hard time trying to capture the birds at my feeders with my phone. This combo might just be the answer. Panasonic Lumix S9 the Lumix S9 is the camera I keep on my desk here at Adorama for any quick pickup shots. Truth be told, I didn't ask for this camera. It's what the content team had that they were willing to let me borrow. Of course, after using it for a bit, I never returned the S9 to them Lumix has positioned itself firmly as hybrid cameras and the S9 is definitely that. With open gate and great video as well as stills features, this versatile body gets the job done. Check out our blog article about a student challenge that features the S9 Westcott 45 inch round Halo Mono Softbox Looking through the site for some inspiration, I came across Halo and the memories rushed in. This modifier was one of the first I purchased way back in the day when I was shooting beauty and fashion on South Beach. I saw an ad for it in a photo magazine and just had to have it. The round shape, the diffusion all made for a clean portrait and beauty light. I've since lost that original Halo that I bought from my local rental house, but those images I made with it moved me to the next level back in the day. LG Touchscreen IPS LCD HDR Monitor with rolling stand have you ever made a quick decision and kinda regretted it? If you follow Adorama's social media, you might have seen me talking about this cool little bit of tech. It's a combination of a great screen for editing and an entertainment center. I need to watch my Stranger Things somewhere. Anyway, I had this beauty all set up when my friend AB came by and said that's cool. You want me to make some content with it? How am I going to say no to ab? So you guys will get some cool content to watch and I have to stick with watching shows on a regular TV. Boring. CES 2026 this is always an interesting show to watch. After all, cameras are just part of a creator's toolkit. Various accessories allow us to work smarter and oftentimes faster and with less gear. Here's my pick from CES 2026 Shure MV88 USB C microphone as someone who has hosted several podcasts in my day, I'm always on the lookout for microphones. Not just for studio quality recordings but also for portable gorilla podcasting. To be honest, I envy those who just grab their phone and start talking. However, the pro in me wants just a bit more. Up until now I've been using wireless and sometimes wired lavs to get the job done. I have been eyeballing these tiny cheap mics that are not only trendy but also cool. They just seemed more like toys to me. CES drew my attention to this version of the MV88. As a longtime SHURE fan I find this to be appealing. The previous version was great for iPhone users, but I like how USB C is making more and more products versatile for many brands and devices. This has been Editor's Picks January 2026 and CES written by Daniel Norton. Read for you by Nikki Haller. For more posts like this, check out the 42 west blog at adorama.com blog links are in the show notes. Be sure to follow adoramanarrated on your favorite podcast app and leave us a review if you enjoy the content. Remember, create no matter what.